SC Gets Extension From Federal Govt. For REAL ID Compliance

The federal Department of Homeland Security has given Oregon another one-year extension for compliance with the federal Real ID Act, the Oregon DMV announced Thursday.

The state will begin issuing new licenses to comply with the Real ID law by the fall of 2018. This extension means that Pennsylvania residents will not face access issues when entering federal facilities or boarding commercial aircraft through that date.

You do not need a REAL ID-compliant card to do numerous things your current license allows you to do.

The state started on the road to Real ID compliance in 2011 when the Motor Vehicle Commission switched to the "enhanced digital driver's" license.

MVD has partnered with Montana State University Billings to develop a public information campaign to relay information to the public regarding REAL ID compliance. That option comes with an additional $15 fee and is available only at 14 licensing stations around the state.

DPS is actively working towards making Oklahoma REAL ID compliant and will use this time to gain compliance with the requirement.

The 2017 Legislature passed a bill saying Montana would begin complying with the REAL ID Act, which cleared the way for the extension, said MVD Administrator Sarah Garcia.

Starting Jan. 22, 2018, travelers who do not have a license from a compliant state or a state that has been granted an extension (a complete list of non-compliant states/ territories can be found here) will be asked to provide alternate acceptable identification. "That's something definitely we'll look at for REAL ID", he says, "as a way of trying to smooth that transition". However, it costs an additional $15 for the card holder and requires multiple documents to apply, such as a US passport, original birth certificate, original social security card, a utility bill, and a pay stub. Right now, driver's licenses are the only i-d required for domestic flights.

MVD Administrator Sarah Garcia said, "This extension gives MVD time to develop business processes, hire new staff, and acquire the necessary equipment needed to implement REAL ID". In fact, some states now issue such noncompliant cards to undocumented individuals.